Notre Dame’s token pro-lifer drops out of commencement program

posted at 12:55 pm on April 27, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Notre Dame’s attempt to defuse the controversy over their invitation to Barack Obama for their law-school commencement just blew up in their faces. Mary Ann Glendon, who was to receive a prestigious award at the same commencement, has objected to being used by the university as a token Catholic at a Catholic university. In an open letter, the former ambassador to the Vatican politely tells Notre Dame to stuff their invitation to speak, and the Laetare Award as well:

April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President
University of Notre Dame

Dear Father Jenkins,

When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.

Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

“President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”

“We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Yours Very Truly,

Mary Ann Glendon

In other words, Glendon somehow objects to getting exploited by Notre Dame as a token to cover for their honoring a relentlessly pro-abortion politician with an honorary degree. Glendon makes clear that her objection doesn’t spring from the invitation for him to speak, but from honoring Obama with a degree from a Catholic university while remaining in opposition to the central Catholic value of the sanctity of life. And she’s right to reject that exploitation, as Notre Dame used Glendon in a way that all but said, “Why, some of our best friends are Catholic!”

The public scolding and rejection leaves Notre Dame twisting in the wind. The Laetare Medal is quite prestigious in the Catholic community, and Glendon’s rejection of it will make Rev. Jenkins look even more foolish. Glendon refuses to allow the award to be demeaned into a tool for political purposes, which demonstrates more integrity than Fr. Jenkins has shown in this sorry episode.

Update: Could Notre Dame be more clueless? According to The Corner, their response says — yes!

“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.”

So who wants to be the last-minute, second-thought, politically-expedient replacement recipient? The prestige of the Laetare Award keeps falling, and falling ….

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Whomever accepts, will have to “song and dance” their way to make it seem like they are worthy and “above” such politics.
They will have an asterisk by their name, I can imagine they will find someone, but that person will have to be pretty weak to accept. The “bar of honor” has been set, and anyone accepting this will have to understand that they are lowering that bar.

I wish some of my fellow Catholics would practice the actual Church doctrine from time to time. You know, that’s kind of the point of being Catholic over other denominations of Christianity. I guess nobody bothered to mention this to the administrators at Notre Dame.

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

This is an impressive human being. That she is a great Christian woman is blessing to girls who otherwise look to pageants for mentoring role models. Miss California would be so fortunate to study from Mary Ann Glendon.

Kathie Sebelious is a catholic. she is still not fully booked on her schedule. If she gets confirmed, she can swing by some cathiolic Hospitals on her trip and offer them a choice of doing abortions or get cut off on reimbursements. If Sebelious doesn’t get confirmed as HHS, Obama can offer her up as ambassador to the Vatican.

Even the most mild will push back hard when they feel used. GOOD FOR HER!! Another tough cookie to add to the conservative arsenal. Let’s keep this wave of PUSHING BACK rolling. Some of us simply will NOT back off our moral standings. Period.

Has the left made all men so guilt ridden that only the women are standing up for the Catholic and Conservative movements? It seems the only man who has been making headlines and holding his own is Pope Benedict XVI.

Then again, maybe these institutions know better than to try and give Scott Hahn and Mark Steyn a microphone when they are afraid of what they might hear.

I have never heard of Mary Ann Glendon, but I will not soon forget her name! Her’s is the face of courage in a PC world. Steadfast & strong, she is a wonderful role model for my own daughter and daughters across this nation. Well Done, thy faithful servant!!!

In the span of one week, Miss California and Mary Ann Glendon have stood on firm ground and not given in to pressure to ‘go along to get along’. My hope is that others are encouraged to stand strong for their beliefs; I know I am better for having heard their story.

So who wants to be the last-minute, second-thought, politically-expedient replacement recipient? The prestige of the Laetare Award keeps falling, and falling ….

Ah hello? Obama is going to be there already and this will allow him to give 2 speeches so it’s a win-win. I’m sure he doesn’t have one of these Laetre Awards yet and we all know he’s deserving of every award ever imagined. So, why not just give it to him?

ANYONE who does not believe in abortion that attends the Obama Notre Dame
speech must stage a silent protest. When Obama starts speaking – while the whole world is watching – stand up and turn your back to Obama.

Good for Glendon. Right recourse for the right reasons. Refreshingly rare.

Alliteration aside (oops) they really are stuck now. I doubt any other noted pro-life speaker will accept. Whoever does accept is going to look like a twit, and there will not be much possibility of using the Laetare to balance the honorary degree given to Obama.

My worry is this: will ND alumni really care? My impression is that most of them aren’t all that Catholic either, based on the direction in which the school has been heading for years. If they do, great, the school will lose money (which they will definitely care more about than trifles like loyalty to the Church or standing up for unborn children.)
But if they don’t, then a higher authority needs to step in and make things happen. This is not a Catholic school, and should not be allowed to besmirch the reputations of those that are.

Also, Father Jenkins should be removed from positions of responsibility. He is not up to the job and ought to be placed in a monastary somewhere so that he can consider all possible meanings of the phrases “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto me” and “The lukewarm I will vomit from my mouth”.

As a Catholic, I’m very proud of Mary Ann Glendon’s action and statement. It was very clear, pointed, yet graceful.

On the other hand, Notre Dame’s actions and statements are shameful. I don’t consider them to be a Catholic University at the moment. Every member of their board needs to do some serious reflecting on the consequences of the University’s actions.

Obama is going to be there already and this will allow him to give 2 speeches so it’s a win-win. I’m sure he doesn’t have one of these Laetre Awards yet and we all know he’s deserving of every award ever imagined. So, why not just give it to him?

Rocks on April 27, 2009 at 1:29 PM

I concur with Rocks. Wasn’t this honorary degree supposed to be for “lifetime acheivement?” I feel he’s equally qualified for both accolades. ::snicker::

How better could it be that Obama give his speech to an EMPTY hole in the floor where the graduates should be.

Being from Texas, if I were in the Notre Dame graduating class, I think I’d be BBQ’ing with family and friends at a local park so I wouldn’t have to even hear his voice.
If not that, then every one opposed to his BS should show up with bright white ear muffs, AND turn their backs to him.

Yeah, I think it would be more effective to not attend the ceremony. I don’t like using a tactic (back turning) that was used against Bush. Besides, the media wouldn’t show the images of them with their backs turned, anyway.

Bishop D’Arcy should hold a celebratory Mass for the students and their families nearby and then they can proceed to the BBQ idea you suggest.

As to the earmuffs/turned backs etc., the problem isn’t Obama giving a speech. That part is fine (although a convocation speech is questionable). The problem is the honorary degree.

Here’s what they should do: strip Obama of the degree, and give it to anyone from Operation Rescue who’s been jailed for peacefully protesting in front of an abortion clinic (Linda Gibbons, for example). Then listen politely to his speech. Then have the Op Rescue person speak and insist that Obama listen politely to that.

Being from Texas, if I were in the Notre Dame graduating class, I think I’d be BBQ’ing with family and friends at a local park so I wouldn’t have to even hear his voice.

I’m from California, and I’d do the same.

I graduated from Berkeley with a degree in Anthropology back in the day when physical anthro was included with the rest of anthro (instead of being part of Integrative Science like you can do now), so I was really nervous about who our graduation speaker was going to be. I was vastly relieved that it was one of our professors and not someone “famous.” That could have gone way bad.

As a 1967 alum,,,,it is sad to see ND still digging a hole. I have severed all financial connections with this place and am considering going to the commencement and burning my diploma.
retiredeagle on April 27, 2009 at 1:54 PM

Did you let the Advancement Office know? You’re the right age for a planned gift so make sure to let the planned giving office know you’ve cut ND out of your will. The fundraising staff will make sure that the board members and President get the message.

The law school rankings by USN&WR includes things like “faculty resources,” “expenditures per student,” and “library resources,” so with any luck alumni like yourself will send a message by hitting ND both at their pocketbook and in their rankings. ND is currently ranked 23rd.

Whoever they get to show up and take their worthless medal should do so with a coat hanger wrapped in bloody rags in their free hand.

Spiritk9 on April 27, 2009 at 1:24 PM

A beaker with a freshly killed “unviable tissue mass” might be more apropos, in homage to the Commencement Speaker and one of his favored causes, since acceptance of the award at this juncture serves to validate Him and his ghastly policies.

Thank you, Madame Ambassador, for remaining true to Him. You statement of declination was very polite but unmistakably clear. The “powers that be” at Notre Dame will look foolish in their scramble to fill your place at the commencement.

Hey! I have an idea. How about booking that baby who was born alive but left to die on a broom closet floor! Oh, that’s right, he’s dead because of Obama’s radical abortion stance/votes. Why is everyone so upset about Obama speaking at a Catholic College?

Hmmmm yet those same people didn’t seem to mind Bush coming to speak. Nice to know Catholics can still pick and choose which aspects of the faith to adhere to and which ones to ignore.

lexhamfox on April 27, 2009 at 1:42 PM

And what, exactly, are you talking about? Here is a story about a woman who does not pick and chose aspects of her faith, but believes in it whole-heartedly. How you managed to wangle Bush into it with absolutely no context is utterly amazing.

My guess is former seminarian Michael Steele will do his best impression of Roland Burris and beg lobby for the award. He and Father Jenkins can compare notes on the drop in contributions to their respective organizations.